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                 -+- The Merry Pranksters from Menlo Park -+-
                               10.1990.01.01.21

                 Marijuana Grower's Handbook - part 21 of 33
                               by pH Imbalance
                                "Early Growth"

                                     from

                         Marijuana Grower's Handbook
                         [Indoor/Greenhouse Edition]
                                 Ed Rosenthal


   Once the seeds germinate, the light is kept on for 18-24 hours a day.
Some growers think that there is no significant difference in growth rates
between plants growing under 24 hours of light a day (continuous lighting)
and those growing under an 18 hour regimen.  In controlled experiments there
was a significant difference: the plants get off to a faster start given
continuous lighting.  Some growers cut the light schedule down to conserve
electricity.
   Plants grown under continuous light which are moved outdoors occasionally
experience shock.  This may be caused by the intense light they receive from
the sun combined with the shortened day length.
   Another popular lighting regimen starts with continuous light.  A week
after germination the light is cut back one hour so that the regimen
consists of 23 hours on and one hour off.  The following week the lights are
cut back again, to 22 hours of light and 2 of darkness.  Each week
thereafter, the lights are cut back another hour until the light is on only
12 hours a day.
   Whenever a light is to be turned on and off periodically, it is best to
use a timer to regulate it.  The timer is never late, always remembers, and
never goes on vacation.  [pH:and never goes to jail!]
   Plants are at their most vulnerable stage immediately after they
germinate.  They are susceptible to stem rot, which is usually a fungal
infection and occurs frequently when the medium is too moist and the roots
do not have access to oxygen.  On the other hand, if the medium dries out,
the plant may be damaged from dehydration.
   Mice, pet birds, dogs and cats have all been noted to have a fondness for
marijuana sprouts and the young plants.  [pH:everything must get stoned!]
   Seedlings given too little light or too warm an environment stretch their
stems.  The long slender shoot subsequently has problems staying upright -
it becomes top-heavy.  These plants should be supported using cotton swabs,
toothpicks or thin bamboo stakes.
   Most seedlings survive the pitfalls and within a matter of weeks develop
from seedlings into vigorous young plants.  During marijuana's early growth,
the plant needs little special care.  It will have adjusted to its
environment and grow at the fastest pace the limiting factors allow.
   If the plants are in a soilless mix without additives they should be
fertilized as soon as they germinate.  Plants grown in large containers with
soil or a mix with nutrients can usually go for several weeks to a month
with no supplements.
   Within a few weeks the plants grow quite a bit and gardeners thin the
plants.  If possible, this is not done until the plants indicate sex, so
that the grower has a better idea of how many plants to eliminate.  The most
vigorous, healthy plants are chosen.





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